Carlos Alcaraz is a Masters 1000 winner once again, adding a brand-new trophy to his remarkable collection after beating Jannik Sinner earlier today.
Having actually endured quite an error-strewn week, there were doubts over his capabilities to upset the home favourite who had been in imperious form.
However, he assuaged all doubts with some speed, serving with venom and showing his grit to win the first-set tiebreak.
From then on, it was one-way traffic, prompting Jannik Sinner to laud his display.
Jannik Sinner sends message to Carlos Alcaraz after Italian Open final
Speaking in his post-match interview on stage in his native tongue, the Italian drew a laugh from his home crowd and Carlos Alcaraz with his very first sentence.
Always gracious in defeat, Sinner was left in awe of his rival after what was another gruelling and enthralling encounter.
Whenever these two meet, fireworks are guaranteed. It’s therefore worth remembering that this was only the first tournament back from a three-month hiatus for the 23-year-old, meaning the best is yet to come.
However, he seems to fear for his chances in Paris, as he told the Italian Open crowd: ‘Carlos, well done to you and your team. You will definitely be the favourite when we get to Paris. You are the strongest player on clay.
‘Congratulations to you and good luck for the rest of the season.’
Alcaraz had already been labelled the favourite for Roland Garros by Lorenzo Musetti, so this will only add to the pressure.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner face Roland Garros showdown
With how this particular event has gone, the fans are set to be treated to a perfect outcome in Paris.
After all, given Alcaraz’s success and Alexander Zverev’s early exit, in the very event he won last year, there has been a dramatic shift in the rankings.
Now, it is the Spaniard who will move into the world number two spot, and thus take the number two seeding in that upcoming Grand Slam.
Sinner was already so comfortably atop the rankings and was never likely to budge, but this late surge from Alcaraz means that these two titans of our sport will actually be on opposite sides of the draw.
Therefore, if both enjoy strong runs as they did in 2024, tennis could be treated to yet another showdown between the two.
This time, however, it would be on the biggest stage yet.
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